Local authorities in Melut County in South Sudan’s Upper Nile State confirmed that two cases of Kala-azar disease were recorded in Wunamou area, about 117 kilometres away from Melut town.

Chol Ayii, Melut County Commissioner, told Radio Tamazuj that the two cases of kala-azar were recorded by organizations among citizens who had come from neighbouring counties of Maiwut and Longichuk.

The local official pointed out that they stepped up preventive measures to contain the spread of Kala-azar disease within the county.

Separately, Commissioner Chol Ayiii said that a team of experts from University of Juba arrived in Melut town in order to carry out researches on pollution caused by oil extraction in the area.

He revealed that the team visited the main hospital and oil wells, saying they also met with a number of local residents so they could compile a comprehensive report on the effect of environmental pollution in the area.